Bill Viola-Video Black


Bill Viola-Video Black

Security cameras have always been something I’ve found interesting and something that causes me some anxiety. Maybe that last part just has to do with the fact we are constantly being observed by cameras. Security and other. The main use of a security camera is to be constantly observing us for is then to watch, with the intention of observing us. But that is not always the case. Often a camera is recording, like the article says, for almost their entire life span with the footage never being watched. Meaning some camera don’t serve a purpose unless we give one to them. Otherwise they just exist. One video work the beginning of this article made me think of is Jill Magid “Trust” 2004 https://vimeo.com/62092355
   

During the article Brunelleschi’s crude camera like box made me think of a set of sculptures done by Sol LeWitt. These sculptures act as sorts of camera giving the viewer an experience similar to that of taking a photograph and who's designs resemble that of a camera obscura. (I couldn’t find the exact sculpture I wanted to show but this ones close)

I enjoyed the portion on page 481 when Viola was talking about the new perceptions images have and how they now retain their own sense of mortality. I think that is something that is lost within photography and video today. You don't often see the decay of images like you would with film. Even now, using things like polaroids or expired film you can physically watch an image die within a very short amount of time. It is very beautiful to watch images die and to me it gives them a different type of value and importance than that of digital. Makes me think of the film Decasia by Bill Morrison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLqN4eZE8Pk     
                               















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